Music Theory

Chapter 1 : Elements of Pitch

Chapter One Elements of Pitch

Pitch: the highness or lowness of a sound
Middle C - C4 From any C to the next C is called an octave All pitches from any C to the next B are in the same octave register

Notation on the staff

Music like an x and y axis
X = time Y = pitch

Staff : indicate the precise pitch desired, consists of 5 lines and 4 spaces Ledger Lines : extend the staff indefinitely Clef : indicate which pitches are to be associated with which lines and spaces Grand Staff : combination of two staves (bass and treble)
*Self Test 1-1

The Major Scale

Major Scale : specific pattern of steps (whole and half) encompassing an octave
W W H W W W H

Half step : the distance from any key to the next adjacent key on the piano (also C-C#) Whole step : any key skipping a key to the next on the piano (also C-D) Tetrachords : four-note pattern that make up the major scale

Accidentals What does each symbol represent?

The Major Key Signatures (circle of fifths)

The Major Key Signatures

Key Signatures : pattern of sharps or flats that appears at the beginning of a staff, indicates consistently raised or lowered notes Key : identifies the first degree of a scale Enharmonic : notes/keys that are spelled differently but sound the same Transpositions : keys that are not enharmonic, to change from original key Order of sharps : FCGDAEB Order of flats : BEADGCF

Checkpoint
Does G3 lie below or above middle C? How is a double sharp notated? Half steps in the major scale occur between scale degrees _____ and ______ as well as between scale degrees _____ and ____. The major scale consists of two identical fournote patterns called ________.
*Self-test 1-2

Minor Scales
Three types of minor scales
Natural Minor : as the notes occur naturally in the minor key signature
Compared to Major scale: lowered 3rd, 6th, and 7th

Harmonic Minor : same with a raised 7th scale degree Melodic Minor : raised 6th and 7th scale degrees on the way up, and natural on the way down

Aural Skills Intro

Identify the following scales as
1. 2. 3. 4. MAJOR NATURAL MINOR HARMONIC MINOR MELODIC MINOR

Major and Minor Relationships

Relatives : share exact same key signature Parallels : share tonic note, different key signatures

*Self-test 1-3

Scale Degree Names

Rather than numbers, musicians refer to scale degrees by traditional names:

KNOW THESE WELL!

Intervals
Intervals : measurement of the distance between two notes Harmonic intervals : sounding at the same time Melodic intervals : notes played successively IMPORTANT: There are two parts to any interval name: the numerical number and the modifier that precedes the numerical name.
i.e. M6 (Major Sixth) etc.
*Self-test 1-4

Intervals: Perfect, Major, minor

Perfect : used only in connection with unisons, 4th, 5th, and 8ves (and their compounds). Major and minor : refers to 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th Augmented : any P or M interval made larger by half step (abbreviated +) Diminished : any P or m interval made smaller by half step (abbreviated or o)
*Self-test 1-5

AURAL SKILLS
Identify the following intervals as consonant or dissonant: Identify the following intervals (P1, P8, P4, P5): Identify the following intervals (M2, M3, M6, M7): Identify the following intervals (m2, m3, m6, m7): Identify the following intervals (P1, P8, D4, P4, A4, D5, P5, A5): Identify the following intervals (all):

Inversion of intervals
Sometimes it is easier to spell and identify large descending intervals through Interval inversion 1=8 2=7 3=6 4=5 5=4 6=3 7=2 8=1 Always remember to change your sign (modifier)

Consonant VS Dissonant Intervals

Consonant : pleasing to the ear Dissonant : unpleasing to the ear

Which intervals do we consider to be consonant? dissonant?

Checkpoint
1. What is the term for an interval in which the notes are played in succession instead of simultaneously? 2. Is there such a thing as a m5? A P6? 3. A perfect interval made a half step smaller without changing its numerical name become____. 4. A diminished 5 becomes a ___. 5. Intervals that are relatively displeasing to the ear are_____.

CHAPTER 1
Review and Test Written Aural